Rack



Jan. 24, 1967 .1. H. ROHR 3,300,655

RACK

Filed Dec. 14, 1964 INVENTOR JOSEPH H. ROHR ATTOR NE Y5 United States Patent This invention relates to racks for holding bottles, vials and the like and has for its principal object to provide such a rack particularly adapted for holding vials of materials for facile use by doctors, laboratory technicians and the like, as for example, antigen dilutions for allergists.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a rack structure with suitable supports wherein the rack plate when erected is inclined and has a plurality of spaced vial receiving recesses in rows with the rows at different elevations whereby the vials positioned therein are readily visible and accessible; to provide such a structure wherein the supports are in the forms of legs that are foldable to a collapsed position under the plate whereby the rack requires a minimum of space during storage; to provide such a rack plate of a substantially transparent plastic that is substantially unbreakable and that will withstand temperatures of an autoclave for sterilization; to provide such a rack of a plastic material capable of transmitting light with a light source at an edge directing light therein for transmission to the cavities and the vials and contents thereof positioned in the cavities to illuminate same; to provide such a rack with indicia or labels for each of the cavities to indicate the material in the vials contained therein, said indicia being fluorescent or illuminated to be readily legible in darkened surroundings; to provide such a rack of a material treated with anti-infectives to enhance the maintenance of sterility; and to provide a storage rack structure that forms clean sterilizable storage facilities for bottles, vials and the like with ready accessibility and visibility thereof particularly adapted to hold containers of diagnostic and/or treatment medical materials.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will hecome apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rack embodying the features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the rack with portions broken away to illustrate the arrangement of the light source and the cavities.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the rack taken on the line 3-3, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken through the rack on the line 44, FIG. 1.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a support rack for holding bottles or vials 2 and particularly such vials having contents for use by doctors, laboratory technicians and the like as, for example, antigen dilutions for allergists. The rack 1 includes a plate or platform member 3 having a flat upper or front surface 4 and rear or bottom surfaces 5 on which the platform may be positioned in storage or when not in use. The platform portion of the rack is adapted to be arranged in inclined relationship and, in the structure illustrated, the inclina- 3,300,055 Patented Jan. 24, 1967 tion is approximately 45 degrees with the horizontal. The forward edge portion 6 has its lower port-ion cut away in angled relation to the face 4 to present faces or edges 7 adapted to rest fiat on a support surface 8 when the platform is in inclined relation, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Support members 9 are preferably arranged adjacent the rearward portion '10 of the platform and adapted to engage the support surface 8 in cooperation with the faces or edges 7 in forming a firm support for the platform 3 in inclined position.

A plurality of open top cavities 11 extend into the platform member 3 from the upper surface 4 and are of a size to receive lower portions of vials 2 to support same. It is preferred that the cavities be of suitable size and cross-sectional shape to substantially conform to the crosssectional shape of the lower portion of the vials 2 adapted to be received therein. Various sized cavities for respective sized vials may be used. It is also preferred that the cavities be arranged in rows 12 that extend across the face 4 substantially parallel to the forward edge 6. There are a plurality of cavities spaced apart in each of the rows 12 and the rows 12 are also spaced apart so that when the platform is arranged in inclined relation, as shown in FIG. 1, each of the rows 12 have their upper openings 13 of the cavities at different elevations, the rearmost rows being at a higher elevation than the next adjacent forward row. It is also preferred that where the cavities 11 in adjacent rows are of the same or substantially the same size that they be arranged whereby the cavities of one row are aligned with the cavities of the next row and form tiers or lines 14 of cavities that are in a line substantially parallel with the side edges 15 and 16 of the platform. Each of the cavities regardless of size extends into the platform at an angle to the plane of the surface 4, the angle substantially corresponding to the angle of inclination of the surface 4 when the platform is in use, so that when the rack platform is supported as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the cavities 11 are substantially vertical. Also, the cavities extend into the platform and terminate in bottoms 17 that are preferably substantially horizontal when the platform is in inclined relation so as to aid in supporting the vials 2 in upright or vertical position. It is preferred that the platform member have substantially the same contour at the forward end portion 6 and rearward portion 10* for uniformity and apperance and, in the illustrated structure, the edge between the surface 4 and an end face 18 is beveled as at 19. The end face 18 extends toward the bottom and terminates in the cut away portion forming the faces on edges 7 at the forward end and the cut-away portion 20 at the rearward portion 10.

The platform 3 may be of a solid member with the cavities 11 extending therein; however, for economy of manufacture, reduction of material and lightness in weight, it is preferred that the platform 3 be molded of a suitable synthetic resin or plastic wherein the surface 4 is on a front Wall 21 and the cavities are defined by walls 22 depending from the front wall '21 and terminating in a bottom wall 23, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. With this structure, the side edges 15 and 16 are on the side walls 24 that depend from the front wall 21. In the molding operation, the forward portion is shaped as at 25 but the rearward portion 20 is formed by a wall 26 so that the structure may be removed from a mold. It is also preferred that all of the surfaces of the platform be polished and smooth to facilitate cleaning.

The platform or plate 3 is of a material that can be sterilized or, in other words, able to withstand temperatures such as would be used in an autoclave for sterilizing purposes. It is also preferred that the material be a resin that is substantially transparent and may be made with a very small quantity of a colored dye so as to only give a slight tint wit-h different colors providing a color coding for indicating different types of materials in the vials to be used in the rack. Resins that have good heat stability may be utilized as, for example, polycarbonate resin, polypropylene or the like that has a high heat distortion point and preferably transparent. For example, polycarbonate resin has a heat distortion point of approximately 290 F., polypropylene can withstand high temperatures and can be subjected to repeated sterilization with steam as it will withstand temperatures up to 300 F.

It is preferred that the platform 3 be molded of such a resin that is treated or include-s an anti-infective that will resist contamination of the surfaces by organisms, bacteria or the like. It is found that when the platform is molded and a silicone release agent is applied to the mold surfaces and then the molding resin applied to the mold cavity, when the resin is hardened and the platform article removed from the mold cavity, there is a retention of some of the silicone at the surface areas of the platform and this silicone retained in the platform acts as an inhibitor of organisms or contaminants that might otherwise infect the surfaces of the platform. This facilitates maintaining a greater degree of continuing sterility.

With the molded platform, the support 9 is in the form of legs 28 having their upper ends pivotally mounted as at 29 by pivot pins 30 connected to the side walls 24. The lower ends of the legs preferably have resilient tips 31 for engaging the supporting surface 88 and providing some non-skid characteristics. When the leg is pivoted to the erected position, it is engaged by a resilient clip member 32 that holds it in place. When it is desired to store the platform, the leg may be hinged to the position shown in the broken lines as at 33, FIG. 4. When the contents of the vials in the various cavities differ, as for example each may have a different antigen and, therefore, a label 34 is preferably applied to the surface 4 adjacent the respective cavity 11. Also, the rows may be of certain characteristics so that a label 35 is arranged to identify the respective rows, the label 35 being between the wall surface 15 and the first adjacent cavity of the respective row 12. It is preferred that the identifying label be of fluorescent material or suitably illuminated so as to be readily legible in darkened surroundings.

To provide some illumination for facilitating selection of the particular vials in darkened surroundings, a light structure 36 is arranged adjacent one of the edges of the platform. In the structure illustrated, a light bulb 37 is suitably supported in a housing 38 arranged at the upper or rear edge portion 10 and connected to the platform so that when the bulb is energized light will be directed into the platform for transmission through the transparent plastic illuminating the vial cavities 11 and also the contents of the vials 2 in the respective cavities, this illurnination aiding in the distinction between the vials. The lamp maybe energized by conventional electrical sources; however, it is preferred that they be energized by suitable batteries (not shown) as, for example, solar cells so that the platforms and thevials thereon will be illuminated in the event of failure of the usual sources of power in the area.

. With a rack structure constructed as described, the legs 28 may be folded and the platform laid with the surfaces engaging the supporting surface '8 so that the structure requires little space instorage and with bottles or vials suitably sealed, they may be placed in the cavities while the structure is stored for later use. When it is desired to use the vials, the legs 28 are pivoted to the position for holding the platform in inclined relation with the support, said legs being engaged by the spring clips 32. Then the platform is placed on a supporting surface 8 so that the platform is supported by the cushion ends 31 and the lower surfaces 7. The light bulb 36 is energized so as to facilitate identifying the various vial contents. Due to the arrangement of the rows and tiers of cavities, each vial in the rack may be visible at all times and easily accessible so as to facilitate the doctor or technician being able to readily obtain the via-l desired. It is believed that the rack structure provides a support for bottles or vials and the like wherein each are readily visible and accessible and also a structure that is easily maintained, that has a degree of continuing sterility and that may also be sterilized in autoclaves and the like.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar as such limitations are included in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A support rack for'vials positioning same for ready visibility and accessibility comprising,

(a) a platform having a substantially'flat upper surface and a plurality of open top vial receiving cavities extending into said platform at an angle to said upper surface, said cavities terminating in a bottom surface spaced below said platform upper surface,

(-b) said platform being generally rectangular with opposed ends and opposed sides with said cavities being arranged in rows with a plurality in each row and 'a plurality of rows extending across said platform generally parallel with the sides thereof,

(0) said platform having elongate recesses extending substantially from side to side and spaced between the platform end and adjacent cavities,

((1) leg members in said recesses with one end of each pivotally connected to the platform adjacent one side with the other end of the legs adapted to swing downwardly and engage a supporting surface to hold said platform with the upper surface inclined and the legs extend from the platform generally at the angle of the cavities relative to the upper surface whereby the inclination of the platform positions the bottom of the cavities in horizontal planes and the cavities arranged to hold the vials positioned therein substantially vertically, the inclined arrangement of the upper surface of the platform positioning the rows of cavities at different elevations whereby the next adjacent rearward row of vials is at a higher elevation than the next forward row for visibility and accessibility of the vials,

(e) and resilient clip members in each recess adjacent said one side of the platform for engaging the respective leg when in a downwardly swung position to retain the leg in its platform supporting position.

2. A support rack for vials positioning same for ready visibility and accessibility comprising,

(a) a platform having a substantially rectangular top wall wit-h a flat upper surface and integral downwardly extending side and end wall portions, said platform havinga plurality of spaced open top vial receiving cavities with each defined by respective cavity side walls and a bottom wall integral with. said top wall, said cavities extending downwardly at an angle to said upper surface with the bottom wall spaced below said upper surface, said platform side walls terminating in lower edges substantially parallel to said upper surface and below the'bottom Walls of the cavities whereby said lower edges .are adapted to engage a supporting surface to support the platform in a generally horizontal position, (b) said cavities being arranged in rows with a plurality in each row and a plurality of rows extending across said platform,

(0) a leg positioned at each end of said platform between the platform end walls and the adjacent cavity Walls,

(d) means pivotally mounting one end of the legs to the platform whereby the other end of said legs are swingable downwardly to engage a supporting surface to hold said platform with one side up and the other side portion engaging said supporting surface whereby the upper surface of the platform is inclined and the bottom of the cavities are in horizontal planes and the cavities arranged to hold the vials positioned therein substantially vertically,

(e) a resilient clip member for each leg fixed to the platform and engaged by the respective leg to retain the leg in platform supporting position.

1957, page References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Caldwell 211-128 Webster 21174 Bales 21174 Barth 1847 Romans 206-632 X Dean 131-144 Harautuneian 20663.2

OTHER REFERENCES Silicones in Medicine and Surgery, Dow Corning Corp.,

15 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

R. P. SEITTER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SUPPORT RACK FOR VIALS POSITIONING SAME FOR READY VISIBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY COMPRISING, (A) A PLATFORM HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT UPPER SURFACE AND A PLURALITY OF OPEN TOP VIAL RECEIVING CAVITIES EXTENDING INTO SAID PLATFORM AT AN ANGLE TO SAID UPPER SURFACE, SAID CAVITIES TERMINATING IN A BOTTOM SURFACE SPACED BELOW SAID PLATFORM UPPER SURFACE, (B) SAID PLATFORM BEING GENERALLY RECTANGULAR WITH OPPOSED ENDS AND OPPOSED SIDES WITH SAID CAVITIES BEING ARRANGED IN ROWS WITH A PLURALITY IN EACH ROW AND A PLURALITY OF ROWS EXTENDING ACROSS SAID PLATFORM GENERALLY PARALLEL WITH THE SIDES THEREOF, (C) SAID PLATFORM HAVING ELONGATE RECESSES EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND SPACED BETWEEN THE PLATFORM END AND ADJACENT CAVITIES, (D) LEG MEMBERS IN SAID RECESSES WITH ONE END OF EACH PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE PLATFORM ADJACENT ONE SIDE WITH THE OTHER END OF THE LEGS ADAPTED TO SWING DOWNWARDLY AND ENGAGE A SUPPORTING SURFACE TO HOLD SAID PLATFORM WITH THE UPPER SURFACE INCLINED AND THE LEGS EXTEND FROM THE PLATFORM GENERALLY AT THE ANGLE OF THE CAVITIES RELATIVE TO THE UPPER SURFACE WHEREBY THE INCLINATION OF THE PLATFORM POSITIONS THE BOTTOM OF THE CAVITIES IN HORIZONTAL PLANES AND THE CAVITIES ARRANGED TO HOLD THE VIALS POSITIONED THEREIN SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY, THE INCLINED ARRANGEMENT OF THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE PLATFORM POSITIONING THE ROWS OF CAVITIES AT DIFFERENT ELEVATIONS WHEREBY THE NEXT ADJACENT REARWARD ROW OF VIALS IS AT A HIGHER ELEVATION THAN THE NEXT FORWARD ROW FOR VISIBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF THE VIALS, (E) AND RESILIENT CLIP MEMBERS IN EACH RECESS ADJACENT SAID ONE SIDE OF THE PLATFORM FOR ENGAGING THE RESPECTIVE LEG WHEN IN A DOWNWARDLY SWUNG POSITION TO RETAIN THE LEG IN ITS PLATFORM SUPPORTING POSITION. 